Oculus Rift DK2 began shipping in July

Valve has updated the SteamVR feature it debuted earlier this year, adding support for the Oculus Rift DK2 head-mounted display (HMD) that began shipping late last month. With this update, the still-in-beta SteamVR, which is essentially a Steam interface for HMDs like the Oculus Rift, now supports positional tracking on Windows and OSX.

Configurations start at $549

In an alternate reality, Dell is launching its Alienware Alpha PC game console as its official Steam Machine. In this world, however, Valve threw a wrench into every OEM's plans by delaying the launch of its Steam Machine platform until next year, as it wanted more time to tweak its Steam Controller. Fair enough, though not all system builders are willing to put their PC console plans on hold. Enter Alienware, which today announced it's taking pre-orders for its Alpha console.

The 4K era is in its very early stages, and though the technology still has room for improvement (especially on the monitor side), you can make the leap if you're determined. Boutique builder Origin PC is all too happy to satisfy your 4K gaming needs with its Nvidia Battlebox Titan Z systems that are now available. These are basically refreshed Genesis, Millennium, and Chronos machines equipped with Nvidia GeForce Titan Z graphics cards.

Will sport a QHD touchscreen IPS display

Alienware’s M11x gaming laptop launched to mostly favorable reviews in 2010 (we gave it a stellar 9/10) and even managed to amass a small, cult-like following before it got phased out in 2012. Since then the company has ignored entreaties for the 11-inch notebook’s revival, sticking with larger notebooks instead. That does not mean there is no room for a smaller and lighter laptop in Alienware’s portfolio.

Roccat's been known to think outside the box when coming up with unique features for its gaming peripherals, but its newest devices take things to a new level. While at Gamescom 2014, Roccat today announced its Nyth modular gaming mouse and Skeltr keyboard/smartphone combo. Both are supposed to the be the first of their kind, the question is, how will gamers react?

A router built specifically for gamers

When it comes to PC parts and accessories, all roads eventually lead to gamers. Intel and AMD both sell unlocked processors so gamers can more easily overclock their rigs for a few extra frames per second; pro gamer Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel has endorsed everything from motherboards to power supplies; there’s gaming RAM; and of course, a whole assortment of accessories designed to give you an edge when smoking your friends on the virtual battlefield. Up until now, one of the few items missing from the list was an 802.11ac wireless router.

Note: This review was originally featured in the April 2014 issue of the magazine.

We compare stock Watch Dogs against Worse Mod 1.0

Our last attempt at comparing the stock graphics of Watch Dogs received some fair criticism. Coupling SweetFX and TheWorse Mod led to noticeably darker graphics that threw off our results. You all spoke, and we listened. Here's our second take on the Worse Mod which is now in its final incarnation:version 1.0.

Billed as "the fastest gaming mouse, bar none."

Logitech added the G402 Hyperion Fury Ultra-Fast FPS Gaming Mouse to its stable of mice today, though unlike any other previous mechanical rodent, this is supposed to be the fastest mouse on the planet (sorry, Speedy Gonzalez). The heart and soul of the G402 is Logitech's exclusive Fusion Engine, which combines a sophisticated optical sensor with the company's Delta Zero sensor technology to enable reliable tracking in excess of 500 inches per second.

Latest GeForce drivers add a bunch of SLI profiles

Attention GeForce graphics card owners -- you can now download new GeForce 340.52 WHQL drivers from Nvidia's website, or update automatically through GeForce Experience. Either way, new drivers are available, and with them, you can take advantage of GameStream technology to stream PC games to the new Shield tablet, which launches today to e-tailers and retailers, Nvidia says.